BRANTFORD – Long-time Brantford residents Steve and Helen Kun, along with their family, have donated $1 million to the new Laurier Brantford YMCA Athletics and Recreation Centre. The announcement of their gift on Thursday, April 17 continues the momentum for this transformative project for Laurier and the YMCA along with the City of Brantford, County of Brant and Six Nations.

The new athletics and recreation complex is a unique joint-venture between Wilfrid Laurier University and the YMCA of Hamilton/ Burlington/Brantford. The project is supported by numerous public and private donors, including the Kuns.

“This is an inspirational contribution to the project,” said Max Blouw, president and vice-chancellor at Laurier. “The Kuns’ belief in Laurier and their city is evident in their generous gift.”

The Kuns have a long history in Brantford and their gift, committed more than a year ago, is a tangible recognition of the economic benefit that comes from revitalizing downtown Brantford. For the Kuns, supporting the redevelopment of their city is an important personal cause and they feel strongly that downtown Brantford needs to include places to safely live, study and be healthy.

To recognize their donation, the main entrance off of Water Street will be named in honour of the Kun family.

“A contribution of this magnitude is an investment in the long-term health of this community and its residents,” said Jim Commerford, president and CEO of the YMCA of Hamilton/ Burlington/ Brantford. “The YMCA thanks Steve and Helen Kun for their remarkable contribution to a project that will continue to support the revitalization of Brantford.”

With a goal of strengthening the physical and social health of the greater Brantford community, the Laurier Brantford YMCA Athletics and Recreation Centre will be home to more than 7,000 members made up of students from Laurier, Nipissing and Six Nations Polytechnic and citizens from Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations.

Groundbreaking on the Laurier Brantford YMCA Athletics and Recreation Centre is slated for later this year. The new building will be a prominent anchor in the continued revitalization of Brantford’s downtown core. It will include an aquatic centre, a health and wellness centre, large gymnasium, classroom spaces, outdoor park space and more.